X-ray tube head



April 8, 1952 J. VIGH X-RAY TUBE HEAD 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 20, 1950 April 8, 1952 J. VlGH 2,592,496

X-RAY TUBE HEAD Filed July 20 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 8, 1952 J. VIGH X-RAY TUBE HEAD 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 20 1950 1/ I /////J ///////////A April 8, 1952 v 2,592,496

X-RAY TUBE HEAD Filed July 20, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

The present invention relates to X-ray apparatus and more particularly to a novel magnetic means and mechanism for rotating or moving an X-ray tube within a shock-proof oil-filled housing and maintaining such tube in a desired operative position.

One of the important objects of the present invention is the provision of a novel magnetic drive for rotating and accurately locating an X-ray tube in its head or housing. By reason of the present construction and arrangement, the tube head assembly and the drive mechanism for rotating or moving the tube are greatly simplified and made highly compact so as to appreciably reduce the dimensions of the housing and assembly.

A further object of the present novel invention is the provision of a novel magnetic operating means so constructed and arranged that the operator by remote control may direct and control the path of the X-rays emerging from the tube by rotating a carriage on the exterior of the tube housing which is magnetically coupled to a carriage on the interior of the housing which conveys or carries the tube. Due to the novel arrangement of the magnetic means employed, the X-ray tube is rotated or moved through any desired are or angle of movement which is controlled by the operator from the exterior of the tube housing.

The present invention further comprehends the provision of a novel magnetic coupling comprising a rotatable member carrying the treatment cone and permanent magnets and disposed exterior of the housing for the X-ray tube, and a rotatable member disposed within the housing and carrying the tube and permanent magnets, the magnets on the two members being so constructed and arranged as to position and polarity that when the outer member is rotated by the operator to a desired position, it magnetically couples thereto and synchronously rotates the inner member and its tube in accurate alignment with the opening of the treatment cone through which the rays emerge.

A further object of the present invention is the provison of a novel means and mechanism for moving and accurately locating an X-ray tube within its stationary housing. In the disclosed and preferred embodiment, the X-ray tube is rotatably mounted within the housing and magnetically coupled to and rotated and controlled by an external carriage mounted on the housing in such manner that when the outer carriage is moved it carries therealong the X-ray tube whereby the latter is located and maintained in accurate and predetermined alignment with the external treatment cone.

The present invention further comprehends the provision of a novel X-ray tube head or" simplified construction and arrangement in which the tube within the head is rotated and its rotation controlled through a novel means and mechanism from the exterior of the head.

Another object of the present invention is the provision with an X-ray tube head of a novel magnetic means for coupling and rotating the tube from the exterior of a shock-proof oil-filled housing in which the tube is mounted for free rotation and the oil is continuously circulated from an external source.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, eificiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, features and constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of an X-ray apparatus equipped with the novel tube head and the magnetic means for rotating the X-ray tube within its encompassing housing.

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of the novel apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the novel tube head assembly and its mounting upon the tubular column or standard, the latter being shown in horizontal cross-section.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssectional view taken in a plane represented by the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical cross-section taken in a plane represented by the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the irregular line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary end view of the end assembly of Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 is a view in vertical cross-section taken in a plane represented by the line 8-8 of Fig. '7.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawings and to the novel illustrative embodiment therein shown, the novel X-ray tube head I is disclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 as angularly adjustable upon a vertical carriage 2 and this carriage is vertically adjustable upon a tube column or standard 3 rotatably mounted at its lower end in a base i and floor rail 5. This vertical carriage is provided with a pair of spaced and transversely disposed sleeve-like members 6 each adapted to receive a telescopic cross-arm l longitudinally adjustable therein by adjusting means 8. The tube column or standard 3 is provided at its upper end with a head 9 and this end is rotatably mounted in an adjustable top carriage I and ceiling rail H. To facilitate vertical movement of the carriage, it is preferably counter-balanced by a weight or counterbalance in the column or standard and connected through a chain or connection A to the front of the carriage.

The tube head i is shown provided with an orienting tube mount l2 supported upon a plate 53 connected to and projecting from a pair of end caps is mounted upon the outer ends of the spaced cross-arms 'i. Secured or pinned at IE to the plate It is a gear segment it in meshing engagement with a gear or pinion ll pinned or keyed to a stub shaft l8 and rotatable through a handle I9 whereby rotation of this handle causes the tube mount l2 and the tube head I carried thereby to rotate about the gear segment IE to a desired angular position or relationship. A locking screw 2! locks the oriented tube mount E2 and tube head i in the adjusted position.

High voltage energy is supplied to the tube through high voltage shock-proof cables 22 entering through conical collars or sheaths 23 disposed adjacent and opening into the opposite ends of a stationary tube housing 24. Within this housing is mounted (see Figs. 4, and 6) for free rotation, an X-ray tube 25 supported intermediate its length in and carried by an inner carriage 26. Current is fed to one end of the tube 25 by a conductor arm 2? and a pair of coiled braided wire conductors 28 each wound about a sheave 29 encompassing the tube adjacent an end thereof. These conductors 23 supply current to the filament of the X-ray tube. Detachably anchored upon the conductor arm 21 by bolts or other attaching means 3| is an end bracket 32 carrying a ballbearing raceway 33 in which the reduced end 3 3 of the tube is journalled for free rotation.

The other or right-hand reduced end (Fig. 4, 7 and 8) of the tube is mounted in a somewhat similar manner as that at the left end of the tube above described. The conductor arm 2i like the conductor arm 21 is slidably and adjustably mounted upon and depending from a supporting block 35 by an interlocking tongue and groove connection which allows for "ease of assembly and replacement of the tube. Depending from the conductor arm 27 is an end bracket 3i. carrying a ballbearing raceway 33* receiving and in which the reduced outerend 34 of the tube is journalled for free rotation. Suitable bolts or other securing means 3! are provided for anchoring the end bracket 32% to the conductor arm 2'! in the same manner as anchoring the end bracket 32 to the arm 2?. v

The reduced end 34* is hollow (see Fig. 8) and receives an oil inlet fitting 3! provided with an inlet port connected to the inlet end 38 of an oil line 39 leading in from a source of oil supply. A bracket H- has an overhanging flange 42 for retaining the fitting 37 in position and this bracket is detachably mounted onto the end bracket .32 by bolts or other securing means 36. Mounted upon and encompassing the end of the tube adjacent to but spaced inwardly of the bearing raceway 33 is a threaded collar 42 having a plurality of laterally opening outlet or discharge ports 45 through which the oil is exhausted from the interior of the tube.

Oil entering the tube 25 through the central bore or port of the fitting 31 cools the anode and insulates the parts. Having accomplished its function, this oil is then exhausted through the discharge or outlet ports 45 opening from the interior of the tube to the interior of the stationary tube housing, and from here it is discharged through an exhaust or outlet port 46 (Fig. 4) leading to the exterior of the housing, and to the oil line 39 and pump (not shown), whereby the oil is recirculated through the tube 25 in a continuous closed circuit or cycle. If desired or required in maintaining the anode at a desired low temperature, the oil or cooling medium may be cooled or reduced in temperature in any suitable manner before it is recirculated to the tube.

In order to rotate the X-ray tube with respect to the stationary tube housing 24, there is provided the inner carriage 26 comprising a continuous annular band 48 which is transversely slit or notched at spaced points along its circumference at 49 so as to be slipped over the tube and tensionally yet resiliently grip the outer circumference of the tube through annular strips of cork 5i embedded in one or both of a pair of inwardly opening channels 52 on the inner circumference of the band. At its outer edge the band 48 carries and'has pressfitted thereon an end ring or plate 53 having its peripheral edge cut away or reduced at 54 directly beneath a driven permanent magnet 55. Each driven magnet, there being disclosed four such magnets in uniformly spaced relation, is afiixed to an annular supporting ring 5!; by a locking bolt 51, and this ring 56 is connected or afiixed to the end ring or plate 53 by locking bolts 58. Each magnet is approximately U-shaped with each locking bolt 57 projecting through the elongated slot of the magnet and thereby retaining the driven magnets in predetermined, adjusted position but permitting these magnets to be radially adjusted with respect to the inner circumference 59 of the stationary housing 24.

The stationary housing 24 is made sectional with an annular depressed central portion 6| and with its wall thickness increased through a portion of its circumference 62 but with more than one-half (approximately of its circumference substantially lessened in thickness and this thinned wall 63 provides a window. or port 64 through which the rays emerge or exit. Aligned with this window or port is a treatment cone 65 that is directed toward the portion of the body to be treated and is carried by an external carriage 66. 7

To adjust the position of this cone and the external carriage, and to synchronize such movement with the movement of the X-ray tube, the external carriage 66 (Figs. 5 and 6) is provided with a similar number of oppositely disposed U- shaped permanent magnets 61 each mounted on end wall 68 of the carriage by means of an anchoring bolt 69 and a flat pressure plate or washer H. Loosening of the nut of the locking bolt 69 and thus releasing the pressure on the plate or washer H, permits radial adjustment of each magnet 6']. To facilitate rotation of the external carriage 65, it is provided with roller bearings 12 in contact with the adjacent vertical and horizontal surfaces on the stationary tube housing 24.

To rotate the external carriage 66, the present invention comprehends a large ring gear 13 secured by a suitable number of attaching screws 14 to an end plate 15 of a cover or casing 16 for enclosing the carriage 66. In meshing engagement with this large gear is a relatively small pinion l1 keyed or ailixed to a stub shaft 13 journalled in an embossment i9 of a cover plate 8!. Also keyed or secured to the stub shaft 18 is a worm wheel 32 in mesh with a worm 83 on a control shaft 84 extending to the exterior of the cover plate 81 and thereat provided with a control wheel and handle 85 whereby rotation of the handle causes the gears to rotate the cover or enclosing casing it and thereby move this cover, the external carriage with its magnets 61 and its treatment cone 65 to the desired position. Simultaneously and synchronously therewith, the external magnets 51 magnetically clutch and rotate therewith the inner magnets 55, the inner carriage 26 and the X-ray tube carried thereby in the stationary housing 24.

The external carriage 5G is preferably formed in two sections as disclosed in Fig. 5, and these sections are secured together in spaced relation by the end plate 15 through suitable securing means 85 and spacers 8?. Closures or end walls 88 and 89 at the opposite ends of the housing 24 and detachably held in place by bolts or any suitable securing means 90 provide a sealing closure at each of the opposite ends of the housing. These closure plates may be of any suitable material, but preferably they are of a transparent plastic composition adapted to permit viewing of the inter or of the housing and suitable for the use intended.

From the above description and the disclosure in the drawings, it will be evident that the present invention comprehends a novel magnetic coupling means for rotating an enclosed X-ray tube and accurately and positively controlling the operation and location of said tube with respect to its port of X-ray exit which is maintained aligned with an external treatment cone at whatever position said cone may be in relation to the periphery of the tube housing.

By the present novel magnetic means of 'rotating or moving the X-ray tube within a shockproof oil-filled housing, applicant provides a tube housing and assembly of optimum efilciency, simplified construction and arrangement which not only eliminates the use of the rotatable oil seals and complicated drive or operating mechanisms required in prior constructions, but permits the use of a housing of substantially reduced size or dimensions.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. In an X-ray tube head, a housing, an X-ray tube rotatably mounted in the opposite ends of the housing, an inner carriage in the housing and encompassing and carrying the tube, an outer carriage rotatably mounted upon the housing, and permanent magnets on the carriages for magnetically coupling the inner carriage and tube to the outer carriage whereby rotation of the outer carriage carries therewith the inner carriage and tube.

2. In a shock-proof oil-filled housing of an X- ray tube head, a tube rotatable within the housing and to which oil is continuously fed, and magnetic coupling means encompassing the tube in the housing and the exterior of the housing and actuated and controlled from the exterior of the housing for rotating the tube to a desired position within the housing.

3. In an X-ray tube head for X-ray apparatus, a housing for enclosing the tube and in which the tube is journalled for free rotation, and magnetic coupling means including a carriage mounted about and carrying the tube within the housing and provided with magnets spaced about the carriage, and a member on the exterior of the housing and provided with similarly spaced magnets movable about the housing and magnetical- 1y coupling thereto and carrying therewith the carriage and tube whereby the latter may be moved to any desired operative position.

4. In X-ray apparatus, a hollow housing, an X-ray tube journalled at its opposite ends in the housing, means for supplying oil to the tube and exhausting it through the housing, a member within the housing mounted upon and adapted to rotate the tube in the housing, magnets carried by said member and encompassing the tube and means movable on the exterior of the housing and adapted to synchronously move therewith said member and tube by means of magnetic force.

5. In X-ray apparatus, a hollow housing, an X- ray tube journalled for free rotation in the housing and means for rotating said tube, said means including a carriage member mounted within the housing upon the circumference of the tube in such manner that movement accorded said member carries the tube therewith, a carriage member movably mounted upon the exterior of the housing, and magnetic means carried by said members for magnetically coupling said members together whereby the member within the housing is moved in synchronism with the member exterior of the housing.

6. In X-ray apparatus including a housing, an X-ray tube adjustably and movably mounted within the housing, a member within the housing encompassing and resiliently gripping the tube whereby the tube and member move in unison, a member exterior of the housing and movable relative thereto, and permanent magnets carried by said members for exerting a magnetic force and coupling said members together to cause them to move in synchronism upon the manual adjustment of the exterior member and its magnets.

7. In X-ray apparatus including a housing, an X-ray tube rotatably mounted in the housing, a member encompassing the tube within the housing and adapted to frictionally grip and rotate the tube upon rotation of said member, a carriage mounted upon the exterior of the housing and rotatable relative thereto, and magnetic coupling means on said carriage and member actuated upon movement of the carriage for moving the inner member and tube within the housing in synchronism therewith.

8. In X-ray apparatus, a tube head including a housing for receiving an X-ray tube, means in said housing for journalling the ends of the tube for free rotation, a member mounted about and carrying the tube within the housing, a plurality of permanent magnets mounted in spaced relation upon said member, a member mounted upon and rotatable about the exterior of the housing, permanent magnets mounted in spaced relation about the housing and upon said member, and manual control means for rotating said exterior member and its magnets about the housing and synchronously therewith magnetically coupling thereto the magnets on said inner member whereby to rotate the latter and the tube in unison with the exterior member.

9. In X-ray apparatus, a tube head including a housing, an X-ray tube journalled for free rotation in the housing, an inner carriage mounted about and carrying the tube within the housing, an outer carriage mounted upon and rotatable about the exterior of the housing, a treatment cone carried by the outer carriage, magnetic means carried by said inner and outer carriage for magnetically coupling these carriages whereby they rotate in unison, and a system of gears for rotating the outer carriage and synchronously rotating the inner carriage and tube to position the tube and treatment cone in any desired position for treatment,

10. In an X-ray tube head, a housing, an X- ray tube rotatably mounted in the opposite ends of the housing, an inner carriage in the housing and encompassing and carrying the tube, an outer carriage rotatably mounted upon the housing, spaced permanent magnets on the carriages for magnetically coupling the inner carriage and tube to the outer carriage whereby rotation of the outer carriage carries therewith the inner carriage and tube, means for mounting said magnets for radial adjustment on their respective carriages, and means for rotating the outer car- 8 riage and its magnets from the exterior of the housing 11. In an X-ray tube head, a housing, an X- ray tube rotatably mounted in the opposite ends of the housing, an inner carriage in the housing and encompassing and carrying the tube, driven magnets mounted on said carriage in spaced relation, an outer carriage rotatably mounted on the housing and provided with a treatment cone movable therewith, drive magnets mounted on said outer carriage in spaced relation similar to that of the driven magnets whereby rotation of the outer carriage and its drive magnets rotates therewith the inner carriage and tube, and control mechanism at the exterior of the housing for rotating the outer carriage and its drive magnets through any desired arc of movement.

JOHN VIGH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,557,725 Proctor Oct. 20, 1925 1,643,453 Holst Sept. 2'7, 1927 2,121,630 Gross et a1 June 21, 1938 2,130,020 McEuen Sept. 13, 1938 2,170,933 Werner Aug. 29, 1939 2,452,939 La Forge Nov. 2, 1948 

